Hotel clerk who recorded newlyweds making whoopee is off to jail

Jeremiah Caleb Marg, 29, of Burnsville, pleaded guilty Nov. 19, 2012 in Ramsey County District Court to intentional interference with privacy for audio-recording a couple in their hotel room having sex. He was a night clerk at the Hotel 340 in St. Paul. Marg was sentenced the same day as his plea to 90 days in the workhouse. (Photo courtesy of Ramsey County sheriff's office)

A hotel clerk was sentenced to 90 days in jail for recording the sounds of a newlywed couple having sex.

The employee of the Hotel 340, at 340 Cedar St. in downtown St. Paul, admitted he slipped an audio recorder under the door of a Minneapolis couple's room on Dec. 28.

The man and woman discovered the device and listened to the recording. The night clerk, Jeremiah Caleb Marg of Burnsville, was charged with two gross misdemeanor counts of intentional interference with privacy.

The couple experienced "extreme stress and strain" as a result of Marg's conduct, prosecutor John Penland said.

Marg's voice and that of his child were also recorded on the device; he had used it for taking inventory for his job, Penland said.

As part of a plea agreement with the St. Paul city attorney's office, Marg, 29, who was fired by the hotel, pleaded guilty Monday, Nov. 19, to one count, which was lowered to a misdemeanor. The other count was dismissed at sentencing Monday.

Ramsey County District Judge Joanne Smith ordered Marg to turn himself in to the workhouse Jan. 14 and gave him credit for three days he has served in jail.

Marg made no statements during the hearing except to answer yes or no questions from the attorneys.

He and his attorney, Daniel McGarry, declined to comment outside the courtroom.